Jacob jacobs



model.)

- J. JACOBS.

Plate for Sidewalks, Roofs, 8w.

No. 240,140; Patented April 12,1881.

N,PETzRs, PHDTO-UTHOGRAPNER WASHINGTON. D c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFI E.

JACOB JACOBS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PLATE FOR SIDEWALKS, ROOFS, 800.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 240,140, dated April 12, 1881. Application filed March 14,1881. (Model) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB JACOBS, of New York city, in the county of New York, and in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Plates for Sidewalks, Roofs, Floor-Lights, &c.; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which Figure l is a perspective View of an illuminating tile provided with my illuminatingplates. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of the same, and Figs. 3 and 4 are crosssections upon lines a: a0 and z z of Fig. 2.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of the figures.

The design of my invention is to enable large plates of glass to be employed in illuminatingtiles without lessening the safety of the same fromslipping, and to permit of any desired degree of ornamentation of such tiles from the use of colors; to which end it consists, principally, in an illuminating-tile having its lightopenings closed by plates of glass, which are provided within their upper surfaces with recesses filled with cement, vitreous material, metal, or other like substances, substantially as and for the purpose hereinafter specified.

It consists, further, in the means employed for strengthening and supporting the illuminating-plates, substantially as and for the purpose hereinafter shown.

In carrying into practice my invention I provide a metal frame, A, fitted exteriorly to the space it is to fill, and provided with one or more recessed light-openings, a, which have any desired size or shape, and are of usual construction, to adapt them to receive the glass to be placed therein.

Fitted within'each opening a is a plate of glass, B, which corresponds therewith in size and shape, and at its edges is inclosed with cement, so as to form at such point a watertight joint.

In order that the glass plates B may be caused to present an ornamental appearance, or may furnish a firm non-slipping foot-hold, each is provided within its upper surface with one or more recesses, 12, having any desired shape, size, or relative arrangement, and such recesses are filled with cement, encaustic tiles, metal, or other suitable material, which filling may, in consequence of its color or shape, be adapted to render the plate more ornamental. It may operate solely to render the same more secure for the foot, or it may combine both of such advantages, as desired.

When the illuminating-plates have such size as to render a central support desirable I employ a bar, 0, which at its ends fits into sockets a, that are formed within the sides of the cross-bars a of the frame A, while at its center said bar bears against the lower face of the illuminating-plate. If desired, a rubber cushion may be interposed between said bar and plate.

For convenience of removal and replacement one or both of the sockets a have an open side, as shown in Fig. 4, through which the end of said bar may be inserted or removed.

One important advantage secured by use of the large illuminating-plates over the use of small plates or lenses consists in the smaller number ot'joints to be made and kept tight.

Having thus fully set forth the nature and merits of my invention, what I claim as new 1s I t 1. An illuminating-tile havingitslight-openings closed by plates of glass, which are provided within their upper surfaces with recesses filled with cement, vitreous material, metal, or other like substances, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In combination with an illuminating-plate and its supporting-frame, a metal bar placed beneath the same and having its ends contained within recesses or sockets in said frame, and its central portion in contact with the lower face of said plate, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day of February, 1881.

JACOB JACOBS Witnesses:

GEO. W. TIEL, ALFRED MGINTIRE. 

